Gianluigi Buffon was one of Italy's poorer players in their 2-1 Euro 2012 semi-final win over Germany, but even that seems an odd explanation for him storming off at full-time.

As the Azzurri team celebrated (even Mario Balotelli got involved), their number one goalkeeper headed for the tunnel, even pushing a mascot aside.

His performance aside, Buffon was actually annoyed by the team's defending and concerned they could have blown their chance of reaching the final. Claudio Marchisio and Antonio di Natale both spurned gilt-edged chances to kill off the tie.

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"We are playing for something unique and totally prestigious, so it's not right with the performance we put in to risk it in the last five minutes and play with fire.

"If they had scored with a lucky ricochet for 2-2, we'd end up losing in extra time 9-2. We are playing in the Euros here and cannot take it lightly.

"I always evaluate performances and attitudes rather than strictly wins or losses. We are still young, apart from a few old men in the squad, and need to learn. It's only right for the old men to tell them off and stir up trouble."